As every year, according to the lunar calendar that governs the world Islamic community, Muslims travel to the holy city of Mecca to fulfill the pilgrimage or the fifth pillar of Islam. Hajj, the importance of Hajj The Islamic tradition is that it does not differentiate between social classes and holds all Muslims of the world on equal footing in its eyes. God (God). It is the largest monotheistic religions gathering in the world which obliges every Muslim to perform it at least once in their life as long as their economic and health status allows it.
After 2019, when the COVID pandemic struck, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reduced the number of pilgrims and as health controls were strengthened, attendance gradually increased, reaching a little over one in 2022 Went. More than 160 countries participated this year.
We estimated the presence of about 2.5 million Muslims in Mecca, the same as in 2019. However, attendance was massive as well at other holy sites such as Muzdalifah, Mina, Arafat and Medina, where the Holy Tomb of the Prophet Muhammad is located.
This religious, but multi-cultural meeting, composed of various ethnic groups on the planet, was contained within the guidelines of conduct and customs required by Islam. Maybe that’s why respect and sympathy came naturally.
An even greater logistical challenge is needed to increase the number of pilgrims year after year. To guarantee the safety and physical integrity of the pilgrims, helicopters and drones equipped with artificial intelligence were used to control the flow of entry and exit to the holy sites. Avoiding crowd disturbances has been an act of surgical precision; reduce the number of sick and dead, as many older adults participate Hajj Exposing themselves to high temperatures (this year their temperature ranged between 45 and 50 °C during the day, which dropped to 28/30 °C at night).
To mitigate the inclement weather, all security forces, scouts and volunteer groups, doctors and paramedics were assisting people with water and juice, bread, dates, medicines and wheelchairs at hundreds of health posts distributed throughout the route. and were helping. roads to take free buses that take them to their camps. The hospitality received is typical of the constitutional uniqueness of the Arab-Islamic world and was further deepened in 2019 with the so-called Mecca Route, which provides rest from arrival at Jeddah airport to various hostels.
Changeover time
It is noteworthy that this chapter of pilgrimage has taken place in the context of socio-economic transformation being undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
With the Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, promotes a process of economic and social transformation with the main objective of moving its economy away from fossil fuels and diversifying production. Its goal is to reduce gas emissions by 45% and reduce global warming to 1.5°C.
As is known, most of Saudi’s wealth comes from oil. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to accelerate the kingdom’s socio-economic transformation to make the country a powerhouse in green energy, mining, logistics and infrastructure, sports, arts, tourism, digital services and finance, among other proposals. Allocating huge resources.
It is necessary to guarantee regional peace in order to effect change. For some time now, the prince has worked to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran, with China as the guarantor of the accord; He voted for Syria’s return to the League of Arab States and multiplied efforts to end hostilities in Sudan and get the peace deal back on track.
According to local surveys, young Saudis enthusiastically follow the Vision 2030 plan as it is promoted to attract foreign investment; Open up the economy and create special economic zones and prepare megaprojects.
The impulse is made possible by record profits—US$161 billion—in 2022, which state oil company Saudi Aramco has earmarked for improving transportation internally, diversifying into the energy sector, higher education, culture and tourism, and promoting growth from Neom. allotted. Line, a futuristic city built on the shores of the Red Sea.
The state has a firm aim to modernize itself. This change will create a geo-strategic balance and bring economic benefits to the entire region.
source: nationworldnews
